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The '''whooping crane''' (''Grus americana'') is a species of crane found only in North America.  Never a common [[bird]], whooping cranes are extremely rare; the 500+ birds alive today - the subject of several intense, yet slow, breeding and management programs - are descendants of the last 15 remaining cranes that were found wintering in [[Texas]] in 1941.

The '''whooping crane''' (''Grus americana'') is a species of crane found only in North America.  While they were never a common [[bird]], whooping cranes are currently extremely rare; the 500+ birds alive today - the subject of several intense, yet slow, breeding and management programs - are descendants of what was once a population of only 15 cranes which were found wintering in [[Texas]] in 1941.

==Description==

==Description==

The whooping crane is the tallest North American bird. Males, which may approach 5 feet in height, are larger than females. Adults are snowy white except for black primary feathers on the wings and a bare red face and crown. The bill is a dark olive-gray, which becomes lighter during the breeding season. The eyes are yellow and the legs and feet are gray-black. Immature cranes are a reddish cinnamon color that results in a mottled appearance as the white feather bases extend. The juvenile plumage is gradually replaced through the winter months and becomes predominantly white by the following spring as the dark red crown and face appear. Yearlings achieve the typical adult appearance by late in their second summer or fall. The life span is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild.  The common name "whooping crane" probably originated from the loud, single-note vocalization given repeatedly by the birds when they are alarmed.  

The whooping crane is the tallest North American bird. Males, which may approach 5 feet in height, are larger than females. Adults are snowy white except for black primary feathers on the wings and a bare red face and crown. The bill is a dark olive-gray, and becomes lighter during the breeding season. The eyes are yellow and the legs and feet are gray-black. Immature cranes are a reddish cinnamon color that results in a mottled appearance as the white feather bases extend. The juvenile plumage is gradually replaced through the winter months and becomes predominantly white by the following spring as the dark red crown and face appear. Yearlings achieve the typical adult appearance by late in their second summer or fall. The life span is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild.  The common name "whooping crane" probably originated from the loud, single-note vocalization given repeatedly by the birds when they are alarmed.  

==Range==

==Range==